By Adam Smith

The North Jefferson News



A popular event aimed at feeding the hungry is celebrating a milestone this year.

The 20th North Jefferson Charity Run will be held on Nov. 8 and will feature some of the area’s top runners sprinting through the streets of Gardendale. Funds raised from the event will provide holiday meals for those in need.

Last year, the charity run raised $9,000 and fed about 2,000 people. This year’s event is already off to a successful start after a $2,000 donation from Teddy Bear Land, Inc.

The event combines organizer Ken Friedrich’s love of running and helping the community. Friedrich, 68, moved to Gardendale in 1984 and has been an avid runner since 1979. He’s set to compete in a marathon in Huntsville on Dec. 13.

“When we first started it, we called it the Gardendale charity run and after three or four years, we changed it to north Jefferson,” he said. “We still use the proceeds from the race to feed needy families in north Jefferson County. If we know of someone else that’s needy, we give them a dinner, too.”

At one time, needy families would come to St. Elizabeth Anne Seton in Gardendale to pick up certificates for the food. However, Friedrich said abuse of the system forced a change in their method of finding families in need of assistance.

“Now we work through the churches, and ask them how many baskets they need,” he said. “I think it’s about as fool proof as can be.”

Each basket costs about $25 and includes ingredients to make a traditional holiday dinner, including turkey and trimmings. The groceries are provided by Foodland in Gardendale, who sells the groceries to event organizers at cost, plus 10 percent.

Not only does the charity run provide food for families, but Friedrich said the course is considered a flat and fast course that attracts some of the best regional runners. “We’ve had 19 state records in that race, and that’s with us competing against other runners in the state,” he said.

The eight kilometer course, just shy of five miles, begins in the Kmart parking lot and travels to Pecan Avenue before traveling to Moncrief Road and back to Kmart.

There are several male and female divisions in the 8K run, from children to ages 70 and older. In addition to the 8K run, there will also be a one-mile fun run/walk.

Tee shirts will be given to the first 200 people who register and door prizes will also be given away at the event. Awards in the 8K event will be given to the top male and female finishers in the overall, masters and grandmasters (age 50 and older) categories.

The entry fee for those who pre-register by Nov. 5 is $15 for the 8K and $12 for the fun run. The fees on race day are $20 for the 8K and $15 for the fun run. The entry fees are a big part of raising money for the event, but organizers also welcome any businesses or individuals that might like to contribute a tax-deductible donation. Those who would like to donate can do so by calling 631-8768.

Entry forms can be found at Hibbetts in Gardendale and the Gardendale Civic Center. Entry forms can also be found online at www.geocities.com/northjeffersoncharityrun.

“It’s a really good course and people enjoy running it,” Friedrich said. “I think the biggest thing we have going for us is people really like our cause.”